Frequently Asked Questions
- How long will my sessions last?
- How long will it take until I feel some relief, and how long does therapy last?
- How do I know that my therapist will keep what I say confidential?
- What if my symptoms get worse after I start therapy?
- Everyone talks about the importance of a “good fit.” How do I know if the fit is right?
- What is the significance of the sand dollar in your logo?
- Why is your practice called Full Circle?
How long will my sessions last?
Sessions generally last 50-60 minutes. Sometimes I will suggest a 90-minute session when exploring traumatic memories with EMDR.
How long will it take until I feel some relief, and how long does therapy last?
You may find you’re able to make shifts and feel some relief quickly. The duration of therapy has to do with how deeply you are able to work, how much you have done previously, how ready you are to work now, and the quality of our fit. I can provide both short-term and longer-term (even several years) therapy. We will discuss the course of therapy throughout our work together.
How do I know that my therapist will keep what I say confidential?
It is every therapist’s ethical and legal imperative to inform you of all limits to confidentiality. You have the right to confidentiality in all but a few circumstances and I will discuss that with you at your first session. You will be asked to sign an “Informed Consent” form at the beginning of your therapy. This consent will act as a confidentiality contract between us.
What if my symptoms get worse after I start therapy?
Some people experience an increase in unpleasant symptoms at the beginning of therapy, as difficult issues are being stirred up. If you are able to manage this phase of therapy, there is usually great relief as the work progresses. I will help you learn new ways to cope with unpleasant symptoms.
Everyone talks about the importance of a “good fit.” How do I know if the fit is right?
Remember that it is normal to feel some anxiety about your first session, and it is hard to assess the fit until you’ve been through a few sessions. Research shows that therapeutic fit is the most important factor in successful counselling. A good fit is one where you feel empowered to ask questions about your therapy and welcomed to negotiate changes in direction—where you genuinely feel you are steering your own bus.
What is the significance of the sand dollar in your logo?
Sand dollars have always been special to me. I have roots in Prince Edward Island, where I spent countless hours as a child searching for sand dollars on the beaches of Union Corner. A sand dollar is a full circle, and within it there are always 5 smaller, interconnected circles. I grew up in a family of 5. The inner circles represent our networks of supports within our larger communities. I like to think that the dot at the centre represents the self. Did you know that sand dollars are prehistoric creatures?
Why is your practice called Full Circle?
Many of us mark our lives in cyclical terms—the seasons, the moons, birth, death and rebirth are all powerful forces in our world. My Aboriginal clients, as well as traditional elders and healers continue to teach me the value of living life in balance. One tool for exploring this is the Medicine Wheel—which supports the full life cycle, spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally.
When I think of coming "full circle," I think of revisiting something that has happened before, both familiar and meaningful—but differently. In therapy, we recall our histories, our experiences and sentiments that we have thought about over and over again. And I believe we come full circle when we allow the wisdom of our history to deepen our current understanding of emotions and experiences. As we become more mindful of our current selves, we understand our past and futures more fully.
I also believe we need full circles of support in order to stay healthy. Many of my clients are travelling full circle from the pre-natal stages of pregnancy to the Olympian transition into parenthood. The fuller the circle (and not simply in numbers), the fuller the person.